Everyone always seems to love a good reunion story. People get excited when they see an original cast get back together, and for a few episodes, everything feels familiar again. But eventually as some time goes on you realize that there is a reason that this show got canceled in the first place.
Currently that is where we are at with D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets. And as sad as it may be, it is officially time to change the channel for good.
Trip down memory lane...
A few years ago back during the 2018-19 season D’Angelo Russell had his moment in Brooklyn. For that team he was viewed as one of the main centerpieces of a young, scrappy Nets team that played hard, and caught the league off guard. He even made the All-Star team. He gave fans something to root for again. And for a while, it looked like he might be part of something long-term. But the league moves fast and that moment passed.
Fast forward a bit, after spending some time with the Timberwolves and LA, Russell returned to the Nets this past season through a midseason trade with the Lakers. During the course of his time he played his part, but the reality is, the Nets did not get better. His minutes dropped, his usage dipped and he didn't look like the same player he once was. More importantly, he didn’t look like someone who fits where this team is headed.
This article is not about throwing dirt on his name.
Do not get it twisted. D-lo is still a more than capable player. He is crafty with the ball, can hit tough shots, and occasionally creates offense that looks effortless. But the Nets are not currently in a place where that kind of player makes sense. They are not trying to make a playoff push at the moment, instead they are trying to rebuild something sustainable. Right now D-lo is 28 years old. He is not developing anymore. What you see is what you get.
In terms of contract talks, Russell will not be cheap and will most likely be looking for something north of $18 million per year. That is a big chunk of the cap for a guy who is not helping you win now. For Brooklyn, that kind of space could be used in smarter ways like taking on contracts in exchange for picks so that they can continue with investing in development.
The Nets need to look ahead, not backward.
They should be focused on the draft, on getting a guard who fits the rebuild, someone like Kon Knueppel who brings shooting and upside. That kind of player would need real minutes to grow. Keeping Russell would only block that path. He helped this franchise once. He gave fans a reason to care. All that truly matters. But unfortunately his role in Brooklyn is done. Holding on would only slow things down. Sometimes the smartest move is also the simplest one...thank him, and let him go.